Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway???

[Gold Rush]

Some friends and I are dreaming and scheming about a ride this fall from West Texas up to the top of Skyline Drive and then the full length of the BRP. We'll take a run at the "Dragon" and some other roads in that area before doing a bee-line run back home.

My concern is timing. I do not want anything to do with "The Dragon" on weekends so the time it realistically takes to do Skyline drive and the BRP is important. I know there are lots of folks that have ridden this so please give me some sort of idea the total riding time from start to finish.

Thanks soooooo much for your help!!

[FrostBite]

Depends on how many scenic stops you take. BRP is about 2 days, Skyline about 1/2.

[Gold Rush]

Thanks.... We were figuring three days so that might give us time to stop and eat a couple of times....

We are going to try to hit close to peak leaf color season so I'm sure that will slow us down just a bit too... Looks like the three days will be just about right..

[berngren]

Gold Rush, That is a beautiful ride. I use to ride that a lot when I was living in NYC. You have to be careful also riding the Parkway and Skyline drive on the weekends because you will run into a lot of traffic also. Especially on the parkway. The parkway is really narrow and parts of the Skyline also. You will definitely enjoy the ride. If you have to get off just look for interstate 81. It runs North and South. Take a ride over to DC also and enjoy yourselves there too. Enjoy your trip.

[Gold Rush]

Gold Rush, That is a beautiful ride. I use to ride that a lot when I was living in NYC. You have to be careful also riding the Parkway and Skyline drive on the weekends because you will run into a lot of traffic also. Especially on the parkway. The parkway is really narrow and parts of the Skyline also. You will definitely enjoy the ride. If you have to get off just look for interstate 81. It runs North and South. Take a ride over to DC also and enjoy yourselves there too. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the weekend warning on Skyline and BRP. It's the lesser of two evils I figure. The Dragon and that area goes CRAZY on weekends I've been told. We want to let those folks get home and not return until we are well on our way back to Texas...

We've all done our patriotic duty and toured DC already. The Vietnam Memorial is an experience I will never forget. Lost a real good friend while I was over there. It was so special seeing his name on the "WALL"

God Bless Our Military !!!!

[Blondie Gal]

Hope you can time your trip to coincide with the fifth annual Rally in the Valley, June 21-23rd, in Maggie Valley, NC - - right there AT the BRP, and a better group of people you'll never meet!! We'll be there for our third year to see old friends again and make a whole bunch of new ones. We would really love for you to join us!!

[Gold Rush]

Sorry Nancy but June is too soon.... It will be late September at the earliest but most likely mid October. We are going to take in the fall colors along with the other scenery. I've been through there in a car during the summer months. It is very scenic but from the photos I've seen taken during the fall there is no comparison....

One of the guys coming along will be 80 years young by then. He is so excited it's almost like a kid at Christmas..

[Oldmsocko]

Gold Rush: Also remember lodging will be a concern for you at that time of year.

[Gold Rush]

YUP. That is why we are in the final stage of planning now. Reservations to follow as soon as we get the schedule pretty well ironed out.

Thanks for the reminder though...

[Konrad]

When riding the Blue Ridge Pkwy, remember there are NO gas stations on its entire length! At any olf the tourist centers on the parkway you can get a list of the exits to take for gas BUT it could easily be a 25 mile trip off the parkway just to find that gas station.s Been there, done that! I now have a Roadsmith with the auxiliary tank!

And remember in your planning, the Blue Ridge has a 45mph limit. It will take two days just for the ride and a few minutes at scenic overlooks - without stopping to enjoy any major attractions. It would help to squeeze in a third day.

The Dragon is both homicidal and suicidal on weekends - every wannabe crotchrocket kamikaze in three states is out there trying to kill himself - and you! Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are much milder.

Don't miss the Cherohala Skyway!

Enjoy your trip!

[Shimpy]

Sorry Nancy but June is too soon.... It will be late September at the earliest but most likely mid October. We are going to take in the fall colors along with the other scenery. I've been through there in a car during the summer months. It is very scenic but from the photos I've seen taken during the fall there is no comparison....

One of the guys coming along will be 80 years young by then. He is so excited it's almost like a kid at Christmas..

I'm not familiar with Skyline, but Blueridge in Oct will be best for fall colors, but expect morning fog and possibly rain. You might want to add extra day or so just so you don't get rushed. Two years ago going north on the Blueridge from Ashville heading for Mt. Mitchel we had to turn back because fog was too thick. Visibility was probably only 25 feet. If you are the lead bike and don't have tail lights to follow it can be nerve wracking.

[Gold Rush]

I LOVE THIS PLACE !!!!

Just maybe someone has already spread the rumor about the folks here and their willingness to share REALLY IMPORTANT information... For those who have already passed on their wisdom and those who still haven't weighed in I and all my friends THANK YOU !!!

I would have never even give fog a consideration and I really expected gas to be available along the way. We already added the third day and I knew about the Crazys on the weekend.

I'm sure there are more tricks and secrets to come so just in case I miss pointing them out and thanking you individually -- know you are sooooooo appreciated.

[oldbear]

+1 on the Cherahola skyway. Be sure to check out Tellico Plains TN. Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters is a pretty cool shop to stop by and there's a GREAT little bakery right down the road-Good for breakfast or lunch. I personally vastly prefer the Cherahola to the Dragon-too many lunatics on the Dragon who "don't" know how to ride but think they do....I don't mind trusting myself, but I hate being put at risk by an idiot on a motorcycle going the OTHER way!. Ride safe and Have fun. You may also want to check out the Diamondback and Little Switzerland NC. Nice, technical road and nowhere NEAR the traffic on the Dragon.

[Russ 4053]

Another good ride is the Foothills Parkway that runs from Walland Tennessee to Tallahassee Tennessee. It is around 17 miles across the mountains and comes out at the bottom of The Dragon. I live about 20 minutes from the Dragon and advise everyone to observe the speed limit because in the riding season the place crawls with police. Also, if you are not used to riding in the mountains, BE CAREFUL!!! There are approxmately 3-5 deaths on the Dragon each year. RIDE SAFE.

[danbgt]

Make sure you allow time for a stop at Mabry Mill for a pulled pork and corn cake sandwich topped off with homemade blackberry cobbler!!! Unless you have a hearty appitite, you'll want to share it with somebody.

[Konrad]

All you people: What are your favorite Must-see, Must-experience stops along the Blue Ridge Pkwy?

[whitewood]

North end of SkylineDrive is packed with leaf watchers in the fall at the first sign of color, too close to DC. Front Royal is where I am and we avoid town if at all possible. Nice ride though! If too conjested try RT 340 or RT 11 which was the two lane route before I-81.

[Blondie Gal]

I always liked to stop at Big Meadows . . . check it out! Big Meadows Lodge, located at mile 51.2 on Skyline Drive, is named for a large grassy meadow near the lodge where deer often graze.

[Shimpy]

Expect the southern end of your journey to give the greatest amount of twisties, switchbacks, etc. You'll also find tunnels that have rough pavement for some reason.
I wish I was joining you. You'll all have a great time I'm sure.

[skuuter]

Expect the southern end of your journey to give the greatest amount of twisties, switchbacks, etc. You'll also find tunnels that have rough pavement for some reason.
I wish I was joining you. You'll all have a great time I'm sure.

Road inside the Tunnels never get sunlight....the ice freezes into the cracks and splits it more every Winter....always nice to find a Deer in the darkness unexpectedly (several times), or worse, a stalled VW Jetta abandoned and with the lights out
...thank goodness, only once.......